Temporary Barrier

ABSTRACT

A temporary barrier is described which comprises a barrier panel ( 12 ) supported upon feet ( 14 ), wherein the barrier panel ( 12 ) comprises a plurality of barrier panel components ( 16, 18 ), the barrier panel components ( 16, 18 ) being arranged side-by-side and being secured to one another using an upper elongate reinforcing member ( 20 ), the panel components ( 16, 18 ) being of plastics material form.

This invention relates to a temporary barrier, and in particular to atemporary barrier intended to restrict pedestrian access topredetermined areas.

There are a number of applications in which it is desired to restrictpedestrian access to areas. By way of example, temporary barriers arecommonly used in crowd control and management applications, to restrictaccess to areas in which works are being undertaken or in whichequipment is being stored, or for other purposes. In such applications,one form of temporary barrier in common use takes the form of a steelbarrier panel supported upon a pair of feet. Each foot takes the form ofan inverted V-shaped tubular steel element, the apex of which is weldedor otherwise secured to the panel. The panel takes the form of a lengthof steel tube bent to take on a substantially rectangular form definingupper and lower rails, and end posts. A series of uprights are weldedbetween the upper and lower rails, the uprights each extendingsubstantially parallel to the end posts.

Such temporary barriers are relatively expensive and heavy, beingfabricated from steel. Furthermore, if excessive loadings are applied toparts thereof, for example if the feet thereof are run over by avehicle, they tend to become permanently bent which can lead to thebarriers becoming difficult to nest or stack for efficienttransportation and storage, and may also result in the barriers havingsharp projecting parts that could present a hazard to pedestrians closeto the barrier.

One option for reducing the weight and cost of the barrier may be tofabricate it from plastics materials. However, the barrier panel istypically of sufficiently large dimensions that manufacture thereof byinjection moulding or the like is not practical.

It is an object of the invention to provide a temporary barrier in whichat least some of the disadvantages associated with known arrangementsare overcome or are of reduced effect.

According to the present invention there is provided a temporary barriercomprising a barrier panel supported upon feet, wherein the barrierpanel comprises a plurality of panel barrier components, the barrierpanel components being arranged side-by-side and being secured to oneanother using an upper elongate reinforcing members at a panel edgeopposite the feet, the panel components being of plastics material form.

The upper reinforcing member is preferably of a length sufficient thatit extends over at least half the width of the barrier panel. Morepreferably, it extends over at least three quarters of the width of thebarrier panel. The upper reinforcing member is preferably of pultrudedor extruded form. It is preferably of a fibre reinforced plasticsmaterial.

The barrier panel may comprise a first barrier panel component and asecond barrier panel component. The barrier panel may comprise more thantwo barrier panel components.

It will be appreciated that by fabricating the barrier panel in the formof two or more panel components arranged side-by-side, fabrication usinga moulding process is simplified as the size of each component to bemoulded is much reduced compared to a single-panel mould for a barrierpanel of the same size as the combined assembled barrier panelcomponents. Using a reinforcing member at or close to the panel edgeopposite the feet, i.e. the upper edge of the panel when the panel issupported on its feet, to secure the panel components to one anotherresults in the panel being of good strength, resistant to bending as aresult of the application of side loadings thereto.

The reinforcing members provide a strong connection between thecomponents and resist bending at the joint between the panel componentsand bending of each individual panel component. An upper reinforcingmember, ie a reinforcing member at the upper edge, provides a structuralsupport at the location of the panel that is subjected to the relativelyfrequent loads, in particular persons leaning on the panel and/or staffcarrying the panel.

In some embodiments, the barrier panel components are further secured toone another using a lower reinforcing member.

The lower reinforcing member is preferably provided at or near a lowerpanel edge, i.e. the edge on which the feet are located. The provisionof a lower reinforcing member in addition to the upper reinforcingmember increases the stability of the barrier further.

In some embodiments, one or more panel components comprise an upperrail, a lower rail and a series of two or more uprights extendingbetween the upper and lower rails and extending substantially parallelto the end post.

The uprights are spaced apart to provide, in use, vertical barrierelements.

In some embodiments, one or more panel components comprise an end post.In a two-panel-component barrier, each panel component may comprise anend post.

The upper rail is preferably of hollow form and may have windows formedtherein through which the hollow interior thereof is exposed. Thewindows opening to one face of the panel component are preferablyarranged to alternate with those opening to the opposite face of thepanel component with the result that the upper rail is of shut throughform. Such a form is relatively simple to manufacture using mouldingtechniques.

The upper reinforcing member is preferably located within the hollowinteriors of the upper rail.

Similarly, the lower rail is preferably of hollow form, having windowsformed therein arranged in an alternating fashion. The lower rail may beprovided with engaging features configured to allow adjacent barrierpanel components to mutually engage each other at the lower rail. By wayof example, they may be secured in position using screws, nuts and boltsor other threaded fasteners, rivets, or adhesives.

If present, the lower reinforcing member is preferably located withinthe hollow interiors of the lower rail.

The, or both, reinforcing members may be secured in position using anysuitable technique. By way of example, they may be secured in positionusing screws, nuts and bolts or other threaded fasteners, rivets, oradhesives.

The reinforcing members are preferably positioned at or near the upperand lower edges of the barrier panel. In use, horizontal features may beused as stepping features, in the manner of ladder rungs that could beused to climb the barrier. By providing the reinforcing membersvertically spaced apart as much as possible, for instance with adistance of around 70-100 cm between the upper and lower edges, they areless suitable for climbing.

Certain of the uprights are preferably of hollow, tubular form. They maybe provided with alternating windows in a manner similar to the upperand lower rails. Preferably, upright reinforcing members are locatedwithin the hollow interiors of these ones of the uprights. The feet maybe mounted upon projecting lower ends of the upright reinforcingmembers. The upright reinforcing members are conveniently of circularcross-section, received in such a manner as to be rotatable relative tothe panel components. Rotation or angular movement of the reinforcingmembers may allow rotation or angular movement of the feet to occur, forexample to allow the feet to be moved to a stowed position fortransportation or storage.

The panel components are conveniently of moulded plastics material form.In one embodiment, the temporary barrier comprises two panel componentsthat are identical to one another, allowing these panel components to befabricated using a single mould. In one embodiment, the temporarybarrier comprises two types of panel components wherein the panels ofeach type are identical, allowing the panel components to be fabricatedusing two mould types. For instance, a panel may comprise twoend-barrier panel components and one or more mid-barrier panelcomponents. In that case, the two end barrier panel components may beidentical and the mid-barrier panel components may be identical to eachother. However, this need not always be the case.

In one embodiment, the temporary barrier comprises two or more rows ofpanel components. For instance, temporary barrier may comprise two rows,a lower row of two panel components and an upper row of two panelcomponents, in a 2 by 2 configuration. The panels of two adjacent rowsmay be stabilised by a central reinforcing member. The centralreinforcing member may extend horizontally. The central reinforcingmember may constitute an upper reinforcing member for the lower row anda lower reinforcing member for the upper row. The central reinforcingmember may extend vertically. It will be understood that a temporarybarrier with a 2 by 2 configuration comprises four panel components. Thepanel components may be identical to each other, each with two outeredges and two inner edges, arranged and rotated such that the panelsabut at their inner edges. It will be understood that a temporarybarrier may have any number of rows. The number of panel components perrow may differ. The type of panel components may differ. For instance, atemporary barrier may comprise a lower row of 8 barrier-type panelcomponents arranged side-by-side and an upper row of 2 fence-type panelcomponents arranged side-by-side.

In some embodiments, two or more panel components are self-complementaryto each other.

Barrier panel components, for instance if made from the same mould, maybe identical in shape. In that case, it is preferable if they are orcomprise self-complementary portions. Such self-complementary portionsmay be, preferably, in the component-to-component engaging surfaces,such that a component of the same shape can engage with anothercomponent of the same shape. Having panel components of the same shapefacilitates assembly, as a barrier panel can be assembled from any ofthe identical components, without having to check that the correctcorresponding components were selected, because complementary componentscorrespond to each other.

In some embodiments, one or more panel components have C2 rotationalsymmetry about an axis extending perpendicular to the upper and loweredges of the panel component.

It will be understood that the upper and lower edges are those edges ofa panel that, after assembly, are facing up or down when the barrierpanel is supported on its feet.

This facilities assembly because a panel component does not need to beoriented with a particular side to the left or right.

In some embodiments, one or more panel components have C2 rotationalsymmetry about an axis midway between the upper and lower edges of thepanel component.

This facilities assembly because a panel component does not need to beoriented with a particular side facing up.

In embodiments, the end most ones of the uprights are moulded withengaging features that, in use, cooperate with the end most upright ofthe other of the panel components.

Preferably, if integrally moulded, the engaging features areself-complementary to allow and end panel component to interact with a180-degree rotated end panel component of identical shape. In someembodiments, engaging features may be fixed to a panel component aftermoulding. This facilitates the use of the same mould type while allowingdiffering engagement features (such as hook and latch type engagements).

The invention will further be described, by way of example, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a temporary barrier inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are front, side and top views of the barrier of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view illustrating parts of the FIG. 1 barrier;

FIG. 6 is a further illustration of the FIG. 1 barrier;

FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating part of the FIG. 1 barrier;

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are sectional views illustrating elements of the partof the barrier shown in FIG. 7 along the sections 8-8, 9-9, and 10-10indicated in FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a temporary barrier inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the FIG. 11 barrier;

FIG. 13 is a front view illustrating a panel component of the FIG. 11barrier;

FIG. 14 is a front view illustrating another panel component of the FIG.11 barrier;

FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 are sectional views illustrating elements of thepart of the barrier shown in FIGS. 11-14; and

FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating a temporary barrier inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, a temporary barrier 10 is illustrated, thebarrier 10 being intended for use in applications in which it isrequired to restrict pedestrian access to certain areas. By way ofexample, it may be used in crowd management or control applications, torestrict pedestrian access to areas in which access is restricted forsafety reasons, for example because works are being undertaken in thoseregions, or in a range of other applications. The barrier 10 comprises abarrier panel 12 supported upon a pair of feet 14. The expressions“upper” and “lower” are understood with reference to the panel in itsintended in-use configuration, standing on its feet 14, corresponding tothe reading orientation of FIG. 1.

The panel 12 is of multi-part form, comprising a first panel component16 and a second panel component 18 arranged in a side-by-sideconfiguration and secured to one another using an upper elongatereinforcing member 20. Optionally, the first and second panel componentsmay be further secured to one another using, as shown herein, a lowerelongate reinforcing member 22. The panel components 16, 18 are ofmoulded plastics material form manufactured by, for example, injectionmoulding. It will be appreciated that, as the panel 12 is of multi-partform, and in particular as it is made up of first and second panelcomponents 16, 18, the components of the panel 12 are each ofsufficiently small dimensions that they can readily be manufacturedusing injection moulding or compression moulding techniques, forexample.

The panel components 16, 18 are substantially identical to one another,and so only one of them will be described herein in further detail withreference to FIGS. 7 to 10.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the panel component 16 comprises an upperrail 24, a lower rail 26 and an end post 28. A series of uprights 30extends between the upper and lower rails 24, 26, the uprights 30extending substantially parallel to the end post 28.

The upper and lower rails 24, 26 are of substantially squarecross-section, hollow form, as shown in FIG. 9 (showing a section of theupper rail 24), and are formed with a series of windows 32 spaced apartalong the length of the respect rail 24, 26. The windows 32 are formedso that some of them open to one face of the component 16, and others ofthem open to the other face of the component 16. The windows 32 arearranged in an alternating fashion. The rails 24, 26 are thus of a shutthrough form, lending themselves to manufacture using plastics materialmoulding techniques in a relatively simple and convenient manner. FIG. 9also illustrates in section the upper elongate reinforcing member 20extending through the hollow upper rail 24, one side (the left-hand sidein the reading orientation of FIG. 9) of the hollow upper rail 24showing in section a window 32 through which the elongate reinforcingmember 20 is visible.

The end post 28 is of H-shaped cross-sectional form, as shown in FIG. 8.Most of the uprights 30 are similarly of H-shaped cross-sectional form,but are of smaller dimensions than the end posts 28 (see also FIG. 15described below). H-shaped cross sections are suited for injectionmoulding. The H-shaped cross section is symmetric and therefore providesthe same appearance at either side of the panel when assembled. Othercross-sections may be used.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the upright 30 aligned with the associatedfoot 14 is of a different design to the remainder of the uprights 30 inthat it is of hollow tubular form formed with windows 34 arranged in analternating fashion similar to the windows 30.

The reinforcing members 20, 22 are of hollow, substantially squarecross-sectional shape, of dimensions allowing them to be fitted withinthe hollow rails 24, 26. Conveniently, they are of pultruded or extrudedform, preferably of a fibre reinforced plastics material. The materialis conveniently brightly coloured. It will be appreciated that with thereinforcing members 20, 22 positioned within the hollow rails 24, 26,parts of the reinforcing members 20, 22 will be exposed, to be visiblethrough the windows 32, as illustrated in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 corresponds toFIG. 1 and shows the upper and lower elongate reinforcing members 20, 22and upright reinforcing members 36, 38 (for more detail on thereinforcing members, see additional description with reference to FIGS.7 to 10) with cross-hatching; the cross-hatching is intended toillustrate their visibility through alternating windows 20 in thebarrier panel components, but it will be understood that the reinforcingmembers may not necessarily exhibit a visible cross-hatching pattern,and may be of a single colour. One or more of the reinforcing membersmay be of a contrasting colour relative to the colour of the barrierpanel component to provide improved visibility. For instance, thereinforcing members may be of a bright colour, and/or havelight-reflecting properties. To provide illustrative examples, thebarrier panel components may be of any suitable colour such as orange,dark grey or black, or any colour desired by a customer, and thereinforcing members may be of bright yellow or white reflective colour.By being recessed within the rails, the reinforcing members are somewhatbetter protected than paint, coating or stickers applied directly to thesurface of the barrier panel, while still providing good visibility.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the reinforcing members 20, 22 are of arelatively great length, extending over at least half of the width ofthe panel 12, and preferably extending over significantly more of thewidth than this. Each of the reinforcing members 20, 22 is thus locatedpartly within the respective rail of the first panel component 16, andpartly within the respective rail of the second panel component 18. Byway of example, the reinforcing members 20, 22 may extend over threequarters, or more, of the width of the panel 12. The reinforcing members20, 22 are secured within the rails 24, 26 using any suitable technique.By way of example, screws or nuts and bolts or other threaded fastenersmay be used, extending through appropriately positioned openings formedtherein. Alternatively, rivets could be used, or suitable adhesives maybe used. It will be appreciated that these techniques represent examplesof suitable securing techniques and that other techniques may be usedwithout departing from the scope of the invention. The substantiallysquare cross-section prevents rotation of the reinforcing members 20,22. Furthermore, a reinforcing member may be inserted with any of theflat surfaces up. This reduces the need for an alignment step duringassembly. However, other cross-sections may be used. In embodiments, thereinforcing members 20, 22 are hollow, solid, or of H-section profile.

It will be appreciated that with the reinforcing members 20, 22 securedin position, the reinforcing members 20, 22 serve to secure the panelcomponents 16, 18 to one another. Furthermore, they providereinforcement or strengthening to the panel 12, resisting bending ordeformation of parts thereof. The position of the reinforcing members20, 22 near the upper and lower edges, respectively, provides aclimb-impeding configuration because of the absence of stepping surfacesbetween the upper and lower rail.

Upright reinforcing members 36, 38 are located within the hollowuprights 30, and have the feet 14 fitted to the lower ends thereof. Theupright reinforcing members 36, 38 are of circular cross-sectional shapeand are free to rotate relative to the associated uprights 30.Consequently, the feet 14 attached thereto may be rotated between in useand stowed positions. The upright reinforcing members may have othersuitable profiles, for instance a square profile.

Turning to FIGS. 11 to 17, another embodiment of a temporary barrier 10Ais illustrated. The temporary barrier 10A is similar to theabove-described temporary barrier 10. The temporary barrier 10Acomprises two types of barrier panel components. In FIGS. 11 to 17,numerals with a suffix -A and same numeral as in FIGS. 1-10 are used toidentify similar components.

The temporary barrier 10A comprises a barrier panel 12A supported on twofeet 14A. The barrier panel 12A comprises two end panel components 16Awhich are identical to each other and constitute a first type of panelcomponent, and a plurality (here: six) of mid panel components 18A thatare identical to each other and constitute a second type of panelcomponent. The panel components 16A and 18A are arranged in side-by-sideconfiguration and secured in succession by an upper reinforcement member20A and a lower reinforcement member 22A, although it will be understoodthat the lower reinforcement member 22A may be optional. The end panelcomponents 16A are reinforced by upright reinforcing members 36A and38A, respectively. The panel components 16A and 18A are of mouldedplastics material form manufactured, for instance, by injection mouldingor compression moulding. Each of the panels is of smaller constructionthan the entire barrier panel 10, rendering it more readily suitable formanufacture by moulding.

As can be imagined, any number of mid-panel components, or no mid-panelcomponent, may be used to manufacture a barrier panel of varying length.The FIG. 11 embodiment comprises eight panel components each about oneeight of the width of the barrier panel width of known metal temporarybarriers, namely six mid-panel components and two end-panel components.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show two connector rings 42A on one end panel componentand two connector hooks 44A on the opposite end panel component. Theconnector rings and connector hooks constitute connectors for end-to-endengagement of a series of panels. The connectors may correspond to thoseof known metal barriers such that the temporary barrier of the inventionis compatible in size and end-to-end connection with known metaltemporary barriers.

By providing the hooks and loops as attachable components, this allowsthe same mould to be used for both end barrier panel components andconfiguring one end panel component as hooked end and another end panelcomponent as loop end. Preferably, each end panel component is providedwith at least two connectors, e.g. two hooks and two loops, to provide arelatively stable quasi-hinged end-to-end connection. Preferably thehooks and loops are engagable with a reasonable degree of play to allowadjacent connected panels to tilt relative to each other whileconnected. This facilitates the provision of a series of connectedbarrier panels on uneven terrain.

FIG. 13 illustrates a front view of an end panel component 16A, and FIG.14 illustrates a front view of a mid-panel component 18A. Each componentcomprises an upper rail 24A and a lower rail 26A. The upper and lowerrails 24A and 26A are similar to the rails described in relation toFIGS. 7 to 10, in that they are formed with windows arranged onalternating sides of the fence panel component such that the rails 24A,26A are of shut-through form suitable for moulding techniques. FIG. 16shows a section through an upper rail 24A illustrating at the right-handside (in the reading orientation of FIG. 16) a window 32A. The end-panelcomponent 18A comprises an end rail 28A with an H-profile, as describedabove in relation to FIG. 7. Partway along the length of the end rail28A, one or more (here: two on either side of the panel) seatingsurfaces 46A are provided to facilitate the mounting of panel-to-panelconnectors such as connector hooks 44A (see FIG. 12) or connector rings42A (see FIG. 12). The end panel component 16A comprises a foot adapter48A extending from the lower rail 26A in extension of one of theuprights 30A that is aligned with the associated foot 14A. The footadapter 48A is hollow, of a shape to receive a reinforcing member 36,38. The exterior silhouette of the foot adapter 48A may be round orotherwise dimensioned to engage a socket in a foot 14A. The foot adapter48 may include abutment surfaces that limit axial rotation of a foot14A. For instance, the axial rotation may be limited to a 90 degreerange or to a 180 degree range such that a foot 14A may be rotated intoa stowed position in which it lies flat with the barrier panel or intoan extended position in which it extends practically perpendicular tothe barrier panel. A 90 degree rotation range may be suitable for asymmetrical foot and will help ensure that a foot is correctly alignedin either a stowed or extended position when the abutment surface ishit. A 180 degree rotation may be appropriate for asymmetrical feet.

The adapter 48A may be integral with a barrier panel component, e.g.integrally moulded. The adapter 48A may be fitted to the barrier panelcomponent after moulding. In that case, the barrier panel component mayhave rotational symmetry about the horizontal axis, as it may beimagined, such that the end panel barrier components and any mid panelbarrier components may be assembled with any side up and the footadapters 48A are fitted post assembly.

The mid panel component 18A illustrated in FIG. 14 comprises twouprights 30 and so exhibits sufficient stiffness for handling duringmanufacture of the barrier panel. By providing fewer uprights 30A perpanel component, e.g. two uprights 30A as shown in FIG. 14, themanufacturing process is more resilient against an occasionalmanufacturing error in one of the uprights 30, in that a manufacturingerror in one upright affects only one easily replaceable component ofthe entire barrier panel. However, mid-barrier panels with differentnumbers of uprights may be used in the invention. The uprights 30A areof H-shaped cross-section as illustrated in FIG. 15, but may have othersuitable cross-sections.

The mid panel component 18A has two-fold symmetry in the vertical andhorizontal direction. This facilitates the assembly of a barrier panel10A because the mid panel component 18A will be appropriately orientatedwith either side up or down and with either side left or right.

In embodiments, the upright reinforcing members 36, 38 are of box orH-profile cross-section and may be of rectangular or square profile. Theupright reinforcing members 36, 38 may be solid or hollow. If the hollowchannel of the upright 30 is generally rectangular, a correspondingrectangular and square profile of the upright reinforcing memberprovides a closer location of the reinforcing members 36, 38 at thewindows 34. This improves visibility of contrasting colours,particularly if it is considered that the reinforcing member mayalready, by virtue of it being located in a channel, be recessed fromthe outer upright surface. The closer location of surfaces of thereinforcing members 36, 38 reduces the gaps that may otherwise bepresent with round reinforcing members, which reduces the risk ofentrapment or the gaps being filled with litter. If the feet 14 areprovided with round profile sockets to receive the reinforcing members,the feet are still rotatable even with non-round reinforcing members.Alternatively, the channel and upright reinforcing members 36, 38 mayhave a round profile.

The presence of the upright reinforcing members 36, 38 furtherstrengthens or reinforces the panel 12.

The upright reinforcing members 36, 38, like the reinforcing members 20,22, are preferably of fibre reinforced plastics material form, forexample manufactured by pultrusion or extrusion.

In embodiments, the reinforcing members 20, 22 are of a length no longerthan the distance between the upright reinforcing members 36, 38, sothat the upright reinforcing members 36, 38 can be fitted before orafter assembly of the two panel components 16, 18.

In embodiments, the upper reinforcing member 20A is longer than thelower reinforcing member 22A. For instance, the upper reinforcing member20A may be longer than the distance between the upright reinforcingmembers 36A, 38A to provide increased stability of the upper rail 24A.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the end most upright 30 may be formed withprojecting features 40 arranged to cooperate with the end most upright30 of the other of the panel components, in use. The arrangement ofprojecting features 40 may be self-complementary. Alternatively, asillustrated in FIG. 14, the end most uprights 30A are arranged such thatthey need not come into abutment with those of adjacent barrier panelcomponents.

FIG. 18 illustrates another embodiment of a temporary barrier 10B. Thetemporary barrier 10B is similar to the above-described temporarybarriers 10 and 10A. In FIG. 18, numerals with a suffix -B are used toidentify similar components as in the preceding embodiments.

The temporary barrier 10B comprises a barrier panel 12B, which comprisestwo rows, a lower row 17L and an upper row 17U, each row comprising twopanel components 16B side-by-side, such there is a total of four panelcomponents 16B. In the present example, each of the panel components 16Bis identical, although this is not necessarily the case in everyembodiment. Each panel components 16B is of generally rectangular,approximately square shape and comprises two outer rails, one outer railat a horizontal edge and one outer rail on a vertical edge. The panelcomponents 16B are arranged and rotated such that the inner edges ofeach panel components 16B face each other and the outer rails are at theouter edge of the barrier panel 12B. The rails are hollow and providedwith windows. When assembled, the two outer edges at the top of thepanel components 16B in the upper row 17U form an upper rail 24B,receiving an upper reinforcement member 20B. The outer edges at the sideof the panel components 16B in the upper row 17U and in the lower row17L provide a hollow upright rail, one hollow upright rail at either endof the barrier panel 12B, to receive upright reinforcing members 36B and38B. Likewise, the two outer edges at the base of the panel components16B in the lower row 17L form a lower rail 22B, receiving a lowerreinforcement member 22B. The upper reinforcement member 20B is receivedwithin the upper rail 24B but portions of it are visible through windows32B in the outer edges. Likewise, the upright reinforcing members 36Band 38B are visible through windows 34B in the outer edges, and thelower reinforcing member 22B received in the lower rail 26B is visiblethrough windows 32B in the outer edges.

Between the upper row 17U and the lower row 17L there is provided acentral reinforcing member 21B connecting the two rows. This providesstability to the temporary barrier 10B. Although not illustrated, theedges of the barrier panels 16B could be configured with alternatinglyoffset walls structures or hoops that can be engaged, for instance inalternating or overlapping fashion, to provide a common hollow channelfor the central reinforcing member 21B. In that case, the wallsstructures may comprise windows in the manner of the upper and lowerrails to allow portions of the central reinforcing member 21B to bevisible.

As in the preceding figures, the upper and lower elongate reinforcingmembers 20B, 22B and upright reinforcing members 36B, 38B areillustrated with cross-hatching; the cross-hatching is intended toillustrate their visibility through alternating windows 32B and 34B inthe barrier panel components 16B, but it will be understood that thereinforcing members may not necessarily exhibit a visible cross-hatchingpattern, and may be of a single colour.

The panel components 16B are of moulded plastics material formmanufactured, for instance, by injection moulding or compressionmoulding. Each of the panels 16B is of smaller construction than theentire barrier panel 10B, rendering it more readily suitable formanufacture by moulding.

The upright reinforcing members 36B and 38B extend from the lower row17L to provide free ends 48B each for connection to a foot. Each freeend 48B is provided with a foot structure 14B, and the foot structures14B (here showing two feet 14B) can be slotted into a further supportstructure such as a base block.

Although described a 2 by 2 arrangement, any number of barrier panelsmay be provided side-by-side in a row. The number of barrier panels perrow may differ. The temporary barrier 10B comprises panels of about 1×1metre side length and measures about 2×2 metres. Several of such barrierpanels 10B may be arranged, side-by-side, to form a temporary fence ofany length. Although the barrier panel 1B is described with a centralreinforcing member 21B that extends horizontally, some barrier panelsmay comprise a plurality of upright reinforcing members. A barrier panelmay comprise both horizontal and vertical reinforcing members ifarranged in a suitable way, for instance on opposite sides of thebarrier panel to allow them to cross. Likewise, a barrier panel maycomprise one or more diagonal reinforcing members, for instance twodiagonal reinforcing members.

The temporary barrier 10, 10A and 10B described hereinbefore areadvantageous in that, as it is of plastics material form, they are ofrelatively low weight and are of relatively low cost form. In thearrangement shown, the feet 14 are of low profile form and so do notpresent a significant trip hazard to pedestrians in the vicinity of thebarrier. The plastics material of the barrier is of relatively goodresilience, and so if subject to relatively low magnitude impacts willtend to deflect and subsequently return to substantially its originalform. The manner in which it is fabricated lends itself to the use ofinjection moulding techniques through each component part being ofrelatively small dimensions.

Whilst selected forms of barrier are described and illustratedhereinbefore, a number of modifications and alterations may be madethereto without departing from the scope of the invention. By way ofexample, the rails could be of H-shaped section, with the reinforcingmembers attached to faces thereof rather than located within the hollowinterior of the rails as illustrated. The reinforcing members, rails anduprights may be of other cross-sectional shapes to those illustrated.For instance, the rails and/or uprights may be of round cross-section toreceive round reinforcing members. The reinforcing members may be solidor hollow. The reinforcing members may comprise hollow channels toreceive additional reinforcing structures. The reinforcing members, i.e.the upper reinforcing member, one or both upright reinforcing members,and, if present, the lower reinforcing member may be made from orcomprise metal.

If desired, the feet could be fitted to the lower rail rather than tothe upright reinforcing members. The barrier panel may be provided withany number of feet. A panel with two feet allows for a configurationwith the feet connected at the end panels.

Features described in relation to the FIG. 11 barrier panel may be usedin the FIG. 1 barrier panel, and vice versa.

For instance, although not shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, once the barrierpanel components are assembled, the barrier panel 10 may be providedwith connectors such as hooks and loops for end-to-end engagement of aseries of barrier panels.

Barrier panels of the type described herein may have any length. Atypical length of a pedestrian barrier may be in the region of 1.5 to 2meters. Due to their likely length and because such barriers may beinstalled in uneven terrain they are described herein as being supportedon feet. The feet may be constituted by base block elements,particularly if the barrier panels are to be installed on relativelyeven ground. However, the barrier panel may also be supported on aunitary base block of sufficient dimensions. Such a base block mayitself comprise feet, for instance integral with the base block.

A number of other modifications may be made without departing from thescope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A temporary barrier comprising a barrier panel supported upon feet,wherein the barrier panel comprises a plurality of barrier panelcomponents, the barrier panel components being arranged side-by-side andbeing secured to one another using an upper reinforcing member at apanel edge opposite the feet, the panel components being of plasticsmaterial form.
 2. A barrier according to claim 1, wherein the upperreinforcing member is of a length sufficient that it extends over atleast half the width of the barrier panel.
 3. A barrier according toclaim 2, wherein the upper reinforcing member is of a length sufficientthat it extends over at least three quarters of the width of the barrierpanel.
 4. A barrier according to claim 1, wherein the upper reinforcingmember is of pultruded form.
 5. A barrier according to claim 1, whereinthe upper reinforcing member is of a fibre reinforced plastics material.6. A barrier according to claim 1, wherein the barrier panel componentsare further secured to one another using a lower reinforcing member. 7.A barrier according to claim 1, wherein one or more panel componentscomprise an upper rail, a lower rail, and a series of uprights extendingbetween the upper and lower rails and extending substantially parallelto the end post.
 8. A barrier according to claim 1, wherein one or morepanel components comprise and end post.
 9. A barrier according to claim7, wherein the upper rail is of hollow form.
 10. A barrier according toclaim 7, wherein the upper rail has windows formed therein through whichthe hollow interior thereof is exposed.
 11. A barrier according to claim10, wherein the upper rail includes windows opening to one face of thepanel component which are arranged to alternate with windows opening tothe opposite face of the panel component.
 12. A barrier according toclaim 7, wherein the lower rail is of hollow form having windows formedtherein through which the hollow interior thereof is exposed, and/orwherein the lower rail includes windows opening to one face of the panelcomponent which are arranged to alternate with windows opening to theopposite face of the panel component.
 13. A barrier according to claim7, wherein the upper reinforcing member is located within the hollowinterior of the upper rail, and/or wherein the lower reinforcing memberis located within the hollow interior of the lower rail.
 14. A barrieraccording to claim 7, wherein certain of the uprights are of hollow,tubular form provided with alternating windows.
 15. A barrier accordingto claim 7, wherein upright reinforcing members are located withinhollow interiors of certain ones of the uprights.
 16. A barrieraccording to claim 15, wherein the feet are mounted upon projectinglower ends of the upright reinforcing members.
 17. A barrier accordingto claim 1, wherein two or more panel components are self-complementaryto each other.
 18. A barrier according to claim 1, wherein one or morepanel components have C2 rotational symmetry about an axis extendingperpendicular to the upper and lower edges of the panel component,and/or wherein one or more panel components have C2 rotational symmetryabout an axis midway between the upper and lower edges of the panelcomponent.
 19. A barrier according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcingmembers are secured in position using screws, nuts and bolts or otherthreaded fasteners, rivets, or adhesives.
 20. A barrier according toclaim 1, wherein the panel components are of moulded plastics materialform, and wherein at least two panel components are identical to oneanother.